Hi all - my mom is now refusing to take any medication. She is sure that everyone is trying to poison her. She had stopped eating and drinking anything but eventually got so hungry she decided that would be ok.

Does this seem to be an end of life issue? How is she doing otherwise? I know I've seen your name here in the past but can't remember what her general state of health is. Has she been evaluated by hospice? Lynn

_________________Lynn, daughter of 89 year old dad dx with possiblity of LBD, CBD, PSP, FTD, ALS, Vascular Dementia, AD, etc., died Nov. 30, 2010 after living in ALF for 18 months.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:14 am

phoenixrising1961

Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:44 amPosts: 20

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

No - not an end of life issue. A paranoid/delusion issue. She is perfectly healthy otherwise.

Speak with the MD about this. What about liquid Seroquel in ice cream or a chocolate shake?

Can the Exelon patch be put on a spot on her back where she can't get it off?

Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:57 am

mockturtle

Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:46 pmPosts: 3213Location: WA

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

It might be helpful to know what medications she is currently taking. As Robin has pointed out, some can be administered in ways than orally.

_________________Pat [68] married to Derek [84] for 38 years; husband dx PDD/LBD 2005, probably began 2002 or earlier; late stage and in a SNF as of January 2011. Hospitalized 11/2/2013 and discharged to home Hospice. Passed away at home on 11/9/2013.

Note that delusions are very hard to treat. The two medications I listed are perhaps two of the go-to meds for treating delusions. A third might be Depakote.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:07 pm

JeanneG

Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:07 pmPosts: 1039Location: Minnesota

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

Definitely tell the doctor.

Is there anyone she might trust to examine her pills? Coy was in the hospital after a head injury (long before dementia) and refused his meds for the same reason. My sisters happened to be visiting when pills were delivered and one said, "I'll check them out for you Coy, and make sure they are all genuine." She borrowed some heavy tome from the nurses station and proceded to "look up" each pill. She'd inspect it closely, turn it over, "find" it in the book, and pronounce it legitimate. She did this with each pill and he then took them. Why on earth he would feel more trusting of my baby sister than of the nurse or of me, I couldn't tell you, but everyone was relieved the little game worked.

_________________Jeanne, 68 cared for husband Coy, 86. RBD for 30+ years; LDB since 2003, Coy at home, in early stage, until death in 2012

Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:15 pm

mockturtle

Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:46 pmPosts: 3213Location: WA

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

JeanneG wrote:

Definitely tell the doctor.

Is there anyone she might trust to examine her pills? Coy was in the hospital after a head injury (long before dementia) and refused his meds for the same reason. My sisters happened to be visiting when pills were delivered and one said, "I'll check them out for you Coy, and make sure they are all genuine." She borrowed some heavy tome from the nurses station and proceded to "look up" each pill. She'd inspect it closely, turn it over, "find" it in the book, and pronounce it legitimate. She did this with each pill and he then took them. Why on earth he would feel more trusting of my baby sister than of the nurse or of me, I couldn't tell you, but everyone was relieved the little game worked.

That's right, Jeanne. Delusions defy analysis. Whatever works!

_________________Pat [68] married to Derek [84] for 38 years; husband dx PDD/LBD 2005, probably began 2002 or earlier; late stage and in a SNF as of January 2011. Hospitalized 11/2/2013 and discharged to home Hospice. Passed away at home on 11/9/2013.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:47 pm

LTCVT

Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:33 pmPosts: 3441Location: Vermont

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

That was a great idea your sister had and I'm so glad it worked. Great idea for other CGs dealing with the delusional thinking of LOs. Lynn

_________________Lynn, daughter of 89 year old dad dx with possiblity of LBD, CBD, PSP, FTD, ALS, Vascular Dementia, AD, etc., died Nov. 30, 2010 after living in ALF for 18 months.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:25 pm

phoenixrising1961

Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:44 amPosts: 20

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

Hi everyone. Thanks for your help. Mom decided (at least this morning) to take her pills. She is currently at an inpatient geri-psych unit (admitted late Friday) at Mt. Auburn Hospital Wyman Center in Cambridge. They have started her on Depakote and are trying to simplify her meds. Will see how it all goes.

For the record, I tried the "examine the pill" idea - didn't work.....

I'd get a plan into place in case this happens again. Chances are very high that it will. Surely the psych unit had some ideas over the weekend for how to handle this situation?? If they didn't, that's not a good sign.

Will your mother ever be moving from the psych unit to a different care facility once she's stabilized? Or will she be staying at the psych unit indefinitely?

Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:42 pm

phoenixrising1961

Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:44 amPosts: 20

Re: Mom is refusing to take any medication

Hi Robin. Plan is that she will be there a week or 2 and that hopefully they can change the meds (and reduce them) and stabilize her and that she can go back to the dementia unit she was in before.

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